HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/03/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Joint 7a
MINUTES
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARR, MINNESOTA
II/ Monday, March 15, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Keith Meland at
6 :05 p.m.
In attendance were City Councilmembers Keith Meland, Larry
Mitchell and Gail Dorfman; Interim City Manager Clint Pires;
staff liaison to Cable Commission Bob Larson; Cable TV
Commissioners Barry Schwabe, DobieHuneus, Bruce Browning and
JoAnne Murphy.
Barry Schwabe described some of his research with respect to the
1992 Cable Communications Act and the potential for cities to
regulate both programming and non-programming rates. He
specifically referenced regulation of costs for outlets,
installation, disconnections and remotes. Mr. Schwabe also
expressed the Commission's desire for an attorney to represent
the City regarding input and comments to the FCC on rules being
developed for the Act. An attorney could identify issues, comment
on non-programming rates and help respond to programming rates.
Local franchise authorities can provide input on some rates by
October 3, 1993, after which response would need to be made to
actual rate increases, according to Mr. Schwabe 's understanding.
He had also heard that the FCC was to release regulations related
111 to the Act by April 3, 1993 and that the City should respond to
these regulations should a window of opportunity open.
It was agreed that as a result of this meeting:
1. City Councilmembers would attend, whenever possible, meetings
of the Cable TV Advisory Commission to communicate on items of
mutual interest. This would typically occur at 6 :30-7: 00 p.m.
2 . Critical FCC dates will be communicated to the Council and
Commission so a joint and timely response can be made if
necessary.
3 . Should the Commission determine in the future that an attorney
is advisable, it would be preferable to communicate same to the
City Council whereupon several proposals may be received and
interviews conducted.
Th meeting adjourned at 6 :56 p.m.
C1—e —L4----
C int Fir
Recording Secretary
NOTE: Attached is some follow-up information from Bob Larson.
The next meeting of the Council and Cable TV Commission will be
on Thursday. April 29. 6 :30-7:00 p.m.
TO: Clint Pires, Interim City Manager
FROM: Bob Larson, City Staff Liaison to Cable TV Commission
DATE: March 24, 1993
SUBJECT: Rate Regulation of Nonprogramming Costs
At the March 15 City Council/Cable TV Commission Study Session, Barry Schwabe
stated that two state district court rulings - one in Michigan, the other in
New York granted local franchise authorities in those states the authority to
regulate certain nonprogramming charges imposed on subscribers by cable
television operators. These court rulings preceded the 1992 cable act.
Barry suggested that the St. Louis Park City Council could, in a ruling,
reduce or limit certain nonprogramming charges imposed by Nortel Cable TV on
St. Louis Park subscribers. Barry further suggested that Nortel would
probably not contest such a ruling, and thus legal counsel would probably be
unnecessary.
My understanding is that any ruling on a regulation issue that affects Nortel
would eventually affect the other cable TV operators in the state. Therefore,
these operators would join Nortel in contesting any issue that has the
potential to affect them. This would eventually require the City to retain
legal counsel to represent us in activities related to a court proceeding.
The purpose of this memo is to clarify the issue in case the Council decides
to pursue local regulation of nonprogramming charges.
BL/sjk